Sinusitis decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylolisthesis and chronic sinusitis, render him incapable of obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for conjunctivitis is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, residuals of a contusion of the right hand, and hypertension have been withdrawn. The Board finds that there is no current evidence of chronic disabilities such as right foot disorder, bilateral corneal abrasions, pseudofolliculitis barbae, or sinusitis. Hypertension was not shown within one year of service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis, chest pain, bronchitis, or a skin condition. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to determine the relationship between his current hypertension and sinusitis with service, as well as the severity of his sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining records from the appellant's reported hospitalization and/or surgery in service at Perrin Air Force Base. Additionally, a new opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the left knee disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, sinusitis, skin disability of the lower extremities, and hemorrhoids need to be remanded as well.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for sinusitis, as it is less likely than not related to service or service-connected URI.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of sinusitis, left ankle disability, or left foot plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis with recurrent maxillary sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in complete obstruction of a nasal passage, 50 percent obstruction in each nasal passage, incapacitating episodes, need for prolonged antibiotics, or more than six non-incapacitating episodes characterized by headache, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting per year.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a rectal abscess and allergy disorder, to include sinusitis and allergic dermatitis, are not related to his active service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, sinusitis, and deviated septum are not shown to be due to any event or incident of his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a deviated nasal septum with partial obstruction and granted it, finding that new evidence supports reopening of the claim. The other claims remain denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including macules on the tongue, chronic bronchitis, asthma, chronic sinusitis, a heart disability, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndromes, bilateral pes planus, and psychiatric disabilities. The decision found no current disabilities or evidence of in-service incurrence.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, and sinusitis. The case will be remanded for a new examination and opinion from an examiner who reviewed all relevant evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, allergic sinusitis/rhinitis, ulcers, and hepatitis C, are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated during service. The initial presumption of soundness upon entry into service is rebutted as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence (CUE) that these conditions existed prior to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of a left cheekbone fracture, deviated nasal septum, and chronic sinusitis were denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.